Today, I visited Staines Reservoir, a site that I am able to reach by public transport, albeit requiring a long trip to west London.
Officially
called Staines Reservoir (in the singular), the site
is actually 2 reservoirs (North Basin and South Basin) separated by a narrow
causeway. They lie just north of Staines and Ashford and south west of Heathrow
Airport. Open access is provided via the causeway that bisects the 2
reservoirs. There is strictly no access to any other part of the reservoirs.
Staines Reservoir is hardly the most scenic birding location and there is the constant sight and sound of aircraft from the adjacent Heathrow Airport but nonetheless it is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is particularly noted for its wintering wildfowl. It has also attracted an impressive list of species over the years including a number of rarities.
The main reason for my visit today was to see the long-staying Lesser Scaup, Greater Scaup, Great Northern Divers, Black-necked Grebes and Black Redstart.
Lesser
Scaup,
a scarce vagrant duck from North America, was the definite highlight of my visit, this being
only my second UK record after my first at Scotney Gravel Pits in
Kent/Sussex in December 2004/January 2005.
I eventually found 2 Great Northern Divers to add to my 2026 UK year list but failed to see the Greater Scaup or Black Redstart.
I also added Ring-necked Parakeet to my 2026 UK year list following my visit, a single very noisy calling bird in Stanwell.
Remarkably, I additionally saw 3 Red Kites at Staines Reservoir with neither the location or the habitat suggesting that I would see this species.
The most notable sightings of my visit were as follows: Lesser Scaup (exceptionally close views of an adult drake), Tufted Duck (c.300 at least), Wigeon (c.30 at least), Shoveler (c.15 at least), Common Pochard (c.10 at least), Goldeneye (7), Mallard (7), Gadwall (4), Great Northern Diver (2), Black-necked Grebe (4), Great-crested Grebe (c.5 at least), Little Grebe (2), Coot (c.200 at least), Grey Heron (1), Cormorant (4), Red Kite (3), Linnet (c.20), Pied Wagtail (at least 5)
I did not take my camera with me since I knew from previous visits that photography opportunities are very limited and with a telescope being a more essential bit of kit to scan the large reservoirs for birds.Love nature .... act now
